26 Feb

Georgia judge declines to dismiss suit alleging sexual assault

This week, a judge in Georgia declined to dismiss the lawsuit against former NBA All-Star Dwight Howard, alleging sexual assault and battery, per ESPN. The lawsuit, filed by Stephen Harper in July 2023, alleges that Howard sexually assaulted him at Harper’s home in July 2021. Howard and his attorneys have argued that the encounter was consensual.

The Gwinnett County judge also made a ruling to seal an exhibit that, according to Howard’s lawyers, included sexually explicit messages.

“My comment, at this time, is that we are glad the court denied Mr. Howard’s motion and look forward to proving our client’s case,” Olga Izmaylova, Harper’s attorney, told ESPN.

“Justice will prevail and we fully trust in our justice system and the process,” Justin Bailey, one of Howard’s attorneys, told ESPN. “This order is a part of the process. We will engage in discovery and will further prove our case, and when the time is right, we will let our future pleadings speak for themselves.”

In December, Howard filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that it was “frivolous” and “nothing more than a classic case of unrequited love.” That filing centered on text messages between the two men. It alleges that some messages were deleted and others in the initial complaint were doctored. Howard’s camp submitted screenshots of text messages that were not previously entered into the record.

“In short, the totality of the text messages between Mr. Howard and Mr. Harper make it abundantly clear that Mr. Harper’s claims are frivolous, that he was a willing participant in the events of July 19, 2021, and the early morning hours of July 20, 2021, and that the touching of his person had been invited by him,” Howard’s lawyers wrote.

“More importantly, the explicit messages not only show consent but also that Mr. Harper was initiating some of the sexual contact. Mr. Harper not only invited the initial experience, but tried to initiate a second encounter because the first was so enjoyable. As it is undisputed that Mr. Harper consented to the touching between him and Mr. Howard, Mr. Harper’s claims necessarily fail, and Mr. Howard is entitled to summary judgment as the clear consent negates the essential element of intent and the claims of Assault, Battery, False Imprisonment, and Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress fall like a house of cards.”

Harper’s lawyers responded in January 2024, per ESPN, arguing that the case has “nothing to do with unrequited love” and asking the judge for a trial in front of a jury.

In July, Harper – who has agreed to be named publicly – filed a civil suit against Howard alleging assault and battery, false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress relating to a 2021 encounter. Harper initially reported the alleged assault to police in Gwinnett County, Georgia, in July of 2022, but never gave a formal interview to the police, who eventually suspended the case. As a result, there are currently no criminal charges filed against Howard.

According to the lawsuit, Harper says he met Howard on Instagram and agreed to meet at Howard’s home for a sexual encounter. While traveling there, Harper says Howard asked if another man or woman could join, which Harper declined. However, upon arrival, another man, identified only as “Kitty” was there. Howard and “Kitty” allegedly then forced Harper to participate in sexual activity.

Per the lawsuit, “Mr. Harper was trapped in Defendant’s bedroom and believed that he would suffer imminent bodily harm if he resisted Defendant’s sexual advances. Mr. Harper felt extremely violated and humiliated and was in complete shock.”

A response filed by Howard’s lawyer in October stated that the three men all agreed to “engage in consensual sexual activity.” Howard is asking for a summary judgment — a judgment entered by a court without a full trial — and for court costs and attorney fees to be paid by Harper.

One of Howard’s lawyers provided an additional statement to ESPN on Oct. 25:

“What was a private consensual encounter was made public for profit and Mr. Howard looks forward to bringing the truth to light in a court of law. The allegations against Mr. Howard are contested. Mr. Howard intends to present the truth. The truth is Mr. Howard blocked Mr. Harper on social media and then was confronted with two options — pay to protect his reputation or have a fabricated story made public. Despite being an easy target due to the subject matter and his status as a celebrity, Mr. Howard chose to trust in the justice system and will rely on all future court filings to speak for themselves.”

Howard addressed the accusations in an Instagram Live on Oct. 26:

“Stop worrying about it. I ain’t gotta deny it, I don’t gotta talk about none of that crap. This s— didn’t even happen. You worried about the wrong stuff. That’s why it’s called an accusation. Allegedly. Come on, man.”

Howard most recently played in Taiwan. The eight-time NBA All-Star was drafted by the Magic in 2004 and played for seven different organizations over 18 seasons. He was part of the Lakers’ 2019-20 championship squad and he last played in the NBA in 2022 during a third stint with the Lakers.

26 Feb

2024 NBA picks, Feb. 22 best bets from proven model

The New York Knicks (33-22) and the Philadelphia 76ers (32-22) square off in an Atlantic Division battle on Thursday. This is the second matchup of the season between these organizations, and on Jan. 5, New York beat Philadelphia 128-92. The Knicks are the fourth seed in the East, while the 76ers sit as the fifth seed. OG Anunoby (elbow) and Julius Randle (shoulder) remain out for New York, while Joel Embiid (knee) and De’Anthony Melton (back) are sidelined for Philadelphia.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The 76ers are a 1-point favorite in the latest Knicks vs. 76ers odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 228.5. Before making any 76ers vs. Knicks picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer model at SportsLine.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 18 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 60-36 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,300. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Knicks vs. 76ers. You can head to SportsLine now to see its picks. Here are several NBA betting lines and trends for 76ers vs. Knicks:

Knicks vs. 76ers spread: Philadelphia -1
Knicks vs. 76ers over/under: 228.5 points
Knicks vs. 76ers money line: Philadelphia -115, New York -105
PHI: The Sixers are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games
NYK: The Knicks are 0-6 ATS in their last six games
Knicks vs. 76ers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Knicks can cover
Forward Bojan Bogdanovic was recently acquired from the Detroit Pistons, and he brings a knockdown jumper to New York. Additionally, the 34-year-old puts the ball on the deck to attack the rim. He puts up 19.7 points, 2.4 assists, and shoots 41% from downtown. In his last outing, Bogdanovic had 15 points and four boards.

Forward Josh Hart is another energetic force who is a menace on the boards despite being 6-foot-4. He will finish around the rim but can knock down shots on the outside when needed. The 28-year-old averages 7.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per contest. In the Feb. 12 loss to the Rockets, Hart notched 17 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. See who to back at SportsLine.

Why the 76ers can cover
Guard Tyrese Maxey is now thrust into a larger role with Embiid (knee) sidelined. Maxey uses his quickness to penetrate the paint and owns a soft touch around the rim. The Kentucky product utilizes his reliable jumper to knock down perimeter shots. Maxey logs 25.7 points and a team-high 6.4 assists per contest. On Feb. 14 versus the Heat, he racked up 30 points, six rebounds, and seven assists.

Forward Tobias Harris provides Philadelphia with a calm three-level scorer. Harris can create mismatches. His speed gives power forwards fits and has the post-up game to overpower smaller defenders. The Tennessee product averages 17.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per contest. In the Feb. 9 matchup against the Hawks, Harris had 21 points, six rebounds, and seven assists. See who to back at SportsLine.

How to make 76ers vs. Knicks picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 234 points. The model also says one side hits in almost 60% of simulations. You can only see the picks at SportsLine.

26 Feb

Back Stephen Curry under 30.5 points

With his ability to stuff the stat sheet, Luka Doncic is a frequent target with NBA prop bets whenever the Mavericks take the court. They’ll do so at home on Thursday against Kevin Durant and the Suns. Doncic has 30 double-doubles across 47 games this season, but Phoenix has done a great job of limiting his effect on the box score in recent matchups. Doncic has just one double-double across his last 11 games versus the Suns but still carries -333 NBA prop odds to log a double-double on Thursday.

Based on recent history, this appears to be an NBA player prop to steer clear of. However, there are lots of other prop bets involving Doncic, Durant, Kyrie Irving and Devin Booker which are much more appealing. With 24 teams in action on Thursday, there is no shortage of favorable NBA prop lines that you could combine into a parlay bet. Before making any NBA prop picks on sites like PrizePicks for Thursday, be sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 18 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 60-36 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,300. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

For Thursday’s NBA schedule, the model has locked in its NBA best bets. You can only see the model’s NBA prop picks at SportsLine.

Top NBA prop bet for Thursday
After simulating every game on Thursday’s NBA schedule 10,000 times, the model is picking Under 30.5 points for Warriors guard Stephen Curry at -125 odds. Ever since scoring a season-high of 60 points versus Atlanta on Feb. 3, Curry’s seen a slight downtick in scoring. He’s gone under 30.5 points in five of his seven games since then, averaging 27.4 points over that stretch. Coming off an extended break thanks to All-Star Weekend, it’s also important to note that Curry is averaging 26.8 points this season when he’s coming off at least three days of rest.

The Warriors host the Lakers tonight, and L.A. has ramped up its defensive efforts as of late. It is allowing just 113.9 PPG in February, which puts it in the top 10 of the NBA, compared to 117.6 PPG allowed prior to this month. The Lakers can also lock down on individual high scorers as they didn’t allow an opposing player to reach even 20 points scored in their last two contests before the All-Star break. The model sees value in under 30.5 points (-125) as it projects Curry to finish with 28.2 points. You can see which other NBA picks to back here.

All NBA prop bets for Thursday
See Magic vs. Cavaliers props here
See Pistons vs. Pacers props here
See Knicks vs. 76ers props here
See Nets vs. Raptors props here
See Suns vs. Mavericks props here
See Celtics vs. Bulls props here
See Rockets vs. Pelicans props here
See Clippers vs. Thunder props here
See Wizards vs. Nuggets props here
See Hornets vs. Jazz props here
See Lakers vs. Warriors props here
See Spurs vs. Kings props here

How to make NBA prop picks for Thursday
The model has simulated every NBA game 10,000 times and has some surprising projections for Thursday’s schedule. You can only see the model’s NBA best bets and SGP picks at SportsLine.

24 Jan

‘I’m used to this’

One thing we can be certain about with a team coached by Tom Thibodeau is that his players are going to log heavy minutes every night. It’s not unusual to see Jalen Brunson play over 40 minutes on a consistent basis, in fact, he’s done it six times already this season, including in back-to-back games where he logged 41 minutes each to end 2023. Playing that many minutes consistently requires a certain level of conditioning, but for new Knicks forward OG Anunoby, the heavy minutes he’s logged since being traded from the Raptors are nothing new to him.

“In Toronto, I played like 58 minutes one game — I’ve played a lot of minutes before, I’m used to this,” Anunoby said after logging 43 minutes in back-to-back games this week.

When Anunoby was in Toronto, he, Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet often ranked near the top of the league in minutes per game. In fact, during the 2021-22 season, the three of them all ranked in the top 10 with Siakam and VanVleet claiming the first two spots, while Anunoby wasn’t too far behind at seventh with 36 minutes a game. So he’s literally built to withstand major minutes, which likely has Thibodeau salivating at the thought of having a guy on the roster who he can throw out there for almost an entire game without him getting gassed.

When asked how he knew Anunoby could handle playing 86 total minutes in back-to-back games, Thibodeau pointed to his experience with the Raptors.

“He played in Toronto,” Thibodeau said. “Sometimes that’s what’s called for, so you do what you think is called for. In the end, the minutes will be where the minutes are, and right now we gotta find our way as we’re adjusting. Find a way to win, build our rhythm, concentrate on improvement and it takes some time. That’s where we are, just go day by day and some guys are playing big minutes, we’re shorthanded that’s what happens.”

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Shorthanded or not, though, playing Anunoby for that many minutes is almost necessary for the Knicks. Since he joined the team on Jan. 1, the Knicks have gone 8-2, and Anunoby’s plus-170 over the last 10 games ranks second in the league during that span behind only Brunson. He’s fit perfectly alongside the rest of New York’s starting lineup, and he’s the key reason the Knicks have been so successful since the turn of the calendar year. So I doubt we’ll see his minutes decrease any time soon.

24 Jan

Warriors reportedly wanted Pascal Siakam, but long-term interest wasn’t mutual

The Golden State Warriors need to shuffle their roster, but it’s not clear how they intend to do so. They can make a move at the trade deadline or wait until this summer — when Klay Thompson and Chris Paul both come off the books — to take a clearer look at where and how they can improve.

One of the players the Warriors were long believed to be interested in trading for was Pascal Siakam — who went to the Pacers from the Raptors in a blockbuster on Wednesday. But according to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the interest, at least long term, was not mutual.

“The Warriors were interested [in Siakam],” Amick said on The Athletic’s NBA Show podcast. “I don’t think [Siakam] was excited abut anything beyond this season with [the Warriors].”

If this doesn’t tell you how far the Warriors have fallen, nothing will. There was a time when players would have fallen over themselves for a chance to play with Stephen Curry and company. But everyone can see the end is near.

Siakam had leverage over where he was traded because he’s set to become a free agent this summer. No team was going to give up real assets for a guy who might walk for nothing in a few months. That’s why teams like the Warriors, and Pacers, needed to know whether Siakam was in it for the long haul before moving on him.

These things aren’t supposed to be discussed, of course. But let’s not play dumb. Of course these things are talked about. The Warriors asked, in one way or another, if Siakam would stay with them beyond this season, and they clearly got their answer.

It would’ve been impossible to imagine even a few years ago that a player in the prime of his career would choose the Pacers over the Warriors, but it makes sense. Indiana, led by emerging MVP candidate Tyrese Haliburton, is on its way up. Golden State is going the other way, and might be about to bottom out.

So again, what do the Warriors do now? Siakam would’ve been a nice fit, as he would be pretty much anywhere, but was probably going to be too expensive to get anyway. The Warriors only have two trade-eligible draft picks (2026 and 2028) at the moment, and to even have the 2026 pick they would have to remove the 2024 1-4 protection that is currently on that pick, which is owed to the Blazers.

Those draft picks, which could well end up in the lottery if/when the Warriors keep trending downward, are almost certainly more valuable than the three picks the Pacers gave up, which will likely land in the 20s as Indiana figures to be a solid playoff team, at least, for years to come.

But again, those picks are vitally important to the Warriors, who did not maximize the opportunity they had to build a bridge to their next era with three lottery picks in two years, which they spent on James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. You can only give them up if you are honestly going to bring back a player that significantly moves your needle toward title contention. Siakam is good, but he’s not that good.

In that way, it might be a blessing that Siakam stiff armed the Warriors, who might’ve been just desperate enough to get in over their heads in the coming weeks.

24 Jan

2024 NBA picks, Jan. 19 best bets by proven model

The Philadelphia 76ers aim to keep it rolling on Friday night at the Kia Center. Joel Embiid and the 76ers visit the Orlando Magic for an Eastern Conference matchup, and the 76ers have won three straight games. The Magic are 22-19 overall and 13-5 at home this season, while the Sixers are 26-13 overall and 10-7 on the road. Franz Wagner (ankle) and Gary Harris (calf) are out for the Magic, while De’Anthony Melton (back) is out for the 76ers.

For this game, SportsLine consensus lists the Sixers as 5-point favorites, and tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 222.5 in the latest 76ers vs. Magic odds. Before making any Magic vs. 76ers picks, you need to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s advanced computer model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 13 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 42-23 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Sixers vs. Magic and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Magic vs. Sixers:

76ers vs. Magic spread: 76ers -5
76ers vs. Magic over/under: 222.5 points
76ers vs. Magic money line: 76ers -210, Magic +173
PHI: The 76ers are 10-7 against the spread in road games
ORL: The Magic are 12-5 against the spread in home games
76ers vs. Magic picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the 76ers can cover
Philadelphia is a dynamic offensive team, headlined by Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, but the 76ers also have strong defensive bonafides. The 76ers are 23-6 with Embiid in the lineup this season, and he is the primary rim protector for a team that ranks in the top five of the NBA in defensive rating (111.5). Philadelphia is No. 1 in the league in 3-point accuracy allowed (33.8%) and opponents are shooting only 46.3% from the field against the Sixers. Philadelphia is also leading the NBA with 9.1 steals per game, helping the 76ers to produce 14.8 turnovers per game.

The 76ers can also take advantage of an Orlando offense with clear weaknesses. The Magic are dead-last in the NBA in 3-point accuracy (34.0%) on offense, and Orlando is in the bottom five of the league in free throw accuracy (75.3%) and assists (24.6 per game). From there, Embiid is leading the league in scoring (35.1 points per game), and the 76ers are scoring more than 1.19 points per possession to rank in the top five of the league. Philadelphia is also in the top three in free throw creation (27.2 attempts per game), free throw accuracy (83.7%), and turnover rate (12.4%). See which team to pick here.

Why the Magic can cover
Orlando is 13-5 at home this season, out-scoring opponents by 7.3 points per 100 possessions at Kia Center. That provides a strong baseline for the Magic, and Orlando has a key piece in Paolo Banchero. The talented forward is averaging 22.9 points and 7.0 rebounds per game this season, including 27.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game in the last 11 contests. Orlando is in the top 10 of the NBA in free throw creation, offensive rebound rate, second-chance points and points in the paint on offense. The Magic also remain stout on defense.

The Magic are allowing only 111.1 points per 100 possessions this season, ranking in the top three of the NBA in overall defensive efficiency. Orlando is in the top five of the league in defensive rebound rate (72.7%) and second-chance points allowed (12.9 per game), utilizing size and athleticism with effectiveness. The Magic also create havoc on a consistent basis, generating 8.3 steals per game and creating 15.3 turnovers per contest. With opponents also shooting only 35.3% from 3-point range against Orlando, the Magic are difficult to score against in myriad ways. See which team to pick here.

How to make Magic vs. 76ers picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 226 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread is the better value. You can only see the model’s picks at SportsLine.

24 Jan

DraftKings, FanDuel daily Fantasy basketball picks for Friday, Jan. 19 include Bam Adebayo

A potential NBA Finals preview could take place on Friday night when the Boston Celtics host the Denver Nuggets. Boston has the best record in the NBA (32-9), including a perfect 20-0 mark at home. Could the Nuggets, the defending NBA champions, be the team to hand the Celtics their first loss in Boston? With seven games on the NBA schedule for Friday, should daily Fantasy basketball utilize options in the NBA DFS player pool from this matchup like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Nikola Jokic or Jamal Murray in NBA DFS lineups?

Celtics guard Derrick White had 22 points in a 105-96 win over the Raptors on Monday after failing to break the 20-point mark in any of his first seven January contests. White averaged 20.3 ppg in December, so can daily Fantasy basketball players expect the 29-year-old guard to return to his December form when creating an NBA DFS strategy? Before making your NBA DFS picks, be sure to check out the NBA DFS advice, player rankings, stacks, and top daily Fantasy basketball picks from SportsLine’s Jimmie Kaylor.

Kaylor is a DFS and betting expert for SportsLine, who won a DraftKings Millionaire Maker contest in 2022. He uses a combination of his background as a former college and professional athlete and his keen eye for statistical trends when making his picks and locking in his DFS lineups. Kaylor enters the 2024 calendar year with multiple five-figure tournament cashes on his DFS resume.

Kaylor’s approach allows him to find the best NBA DFS values and create optimal lineups that he only shares on SportsLine. They’re a must-see for any NBA DFS player.

On Wednesday (when he last published picks), Kaylor highlighted Lakers power forward/center Anthony Davis as one of his top picks in his NBA DFS player pool on both sites. The result: Davis had 28 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists, returning 61.5 points on DraftKings and 60.9 points on FanDuel. Anybody who included him in their lineups was well on the way to a profitable day.

Kaylor has turned his attention to NBA action on Friday and locked in his top daily Fantasy basketball picks. You can only see them by heading to SportsLine.

Top NBA DFS picks for Friday, January 19
For Friday, one of Kaylor’s top NBA DFS picks is Heat center Bam Adebayo, who is listed at $8,700 on DraftKings and $9,300 on FanDuel. Adebayo has been a rebounding machine as of late, averaging 11.7 rebounds over his last 10 contests, including a 20-rebound performance in a 96-95 overtime victory against the Nets on Monday. He’s also averaging 21.1 points over that stretch.

The Heat play the Hawks on Friday, and with Atlanta missing Trae Young (illness), there may be even more rebounding opportunities with a key scorer out. Adebayo is averaging 23.7 points and 11 rebounds over his last six matchups against the Hawks. Atlanta has the third-worst scoring defense in the NBA, allowing 123 ppg, including 124.1 ppg over the last eight contests. The Hawks are also allowing the third-most points in the paint (56.2 ppg), which plays to Adebayo’s strengths.

Another part of Kaylor’s optimal NBA DFS strategy includes Nuggets power forward Aaron Gordon ($6,100 on DraftKings and $6,400 on FanDuel). Gordon (shoulder) is probable for Friday after scoring 16 points with six rebounds and four assists in a 126-121 loss to the 76ers on Tuesday. He had 20 points and 10 rebounds in the previous contest, and he’s been one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA this month. Gordon is averaging 15.9 points on 67.1% shooting over his last eight contests.

Gordon has scored at least 17 points in three of his last four contests against the Celtics. The 10-year NBA veteran averaged 16.3 ppg last season, the second-best of his career, and is averaging 14.1 ppg this year. He’s a reliable player who won’t break your NBA DFS budget and could outperform his price tag for Friday’s NBA DFS lineups. See Kaylor’s other NBA DFS picks right here.

How to set your NBA DFS lineups for Friday, January 19
Kaylor is also targeting a player who could go off for massive numbers on Friday because of a dream matchup. This pick could be the difference between winning your tournaments and cash games or going home with nothing. You can only see who it is here.

24 Jan

2024 NBA picks, Jan. 19 best bets by proven model

The Denver Nuggets (28-14) and the Boston Celtics (32-9) link up in a potential NBA Finals preview on Friday. The clubs are currently in the top three of their respective conferences. Boston ranks fifth in the NBA in scoring (120.9 points per game), while Denver is third in the league in assists (29.5 assists per game) and field goal percentage (49.9%).

Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden in Boston. The Celtics are 7-point favorites in the latest Nuggets vs. Celtics odds via SportsLine consensus. The over/under for total points is 233.5. Before making any Celtics vs. Nuggets picks, you need to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s advanced computer model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 13 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 42-23 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Celtics vs. Nuggets and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Nuggets vs. Celtics:

Nuggets vs. Celtics spread: Boston -7
Nuggets vs. Celtics over/under: 233.5 points
Nuggets vs. Celtics money line: Boston -273, Denver +222
DEN: The Nuggets have hit the 2Q game total Over in 26 of their last 32 away games
BOS: The Celtics have won 20 straight at home
Nuggets vs. Celtics picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Nuggets can cover
Center Nikola Jokic is an impactful presence all across the floor. Jokic rebounds the ball well, handles the ball with ease and has superb court vision. The five-time All-Star is fourth in the NBA in both rebounds (11.9) and assists (4.1) and 15th in scoring (25.5). Jokic has recorded 12 triple-doubles on the year. In his last outing, he tallied 25 points and 19 boards.

Guard Jamal Murray is a fearless scorer from any spot on the court. Murray has a sweet jumper and will put the ball on the deck when needed. The Kentucky product averages 20.5 points, 6.5 assists and shoots 41% from beyond the arc. On Jan. 14 against the Pacers, Murray racked up 25 points and eight assists. See which team to pick here.

Why the Celtics can cover
Forward Kristaps Porzingis (7-foot-2) is a very long and lengthy presence who owns a pure jumper with the ability to be a reliable shot-blocker. The 28-year-old averages 19.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game. On Jan. 13 versus the Rockets, Porzingis notched 17 points, seven boards, five assists, and three blocks.

Guard Jrue Holiday brings lockdown defense to the perimeter for the Celtics. Holiday is a great rebounder and has the court vision to be an effective passer. The UCLA product can also create his own shot and logs 13.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. In his last outing, Holiday finished with 22 points, six boards, seven assists, and two blocks. See which team to pick here.

How to make Celtics vs. Nuggets picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Under on the total, projecting 232 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits almost 60% of the time. You can only see the model’s picks at SportsLine.

24 Jan

Suns, 76ers among best teams to bet on for Friday

Seven games will make up Friday’s NBA slate with matchups tipping off between 7:00 and 10:30 p.m. ET. We have our eye on one upset, a spread pick and one plus-money prop ahead of the action. Are you looking to find an edge? We’ve gone over each pairing to identify three plays worth considering.

Moneyline: Phoenix Suns (+118) @ New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans split a two-game series with the Luka Doncic-less Dallas Mavericks before crushing the Charlotte Hornets in its last game, but the Suns have more momentum after racking up three straight wins. Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal are improving their chemistry quickly, and Brandon Ingram’s recent offensive struggles could put New Orleans at a major disadvantage against a team with so much firepower.

Spread: Philadelphia 76ers -5.5 (-105) @ Orlando Magic
The 76ers beat a healthy Magic squad by 20 in Orlando this past December, and it appears like the second meeting between these Eastern Conference rivals won’t be as competitive. The home team is down Franz Wagner and Gary Harris, who are crucial parts of the league’s sixth-best scoring defense. We’ll have to see whether the Magic continue to bring Wendell Carter Jr. off the bench, as Joel Embiid leads the league in first and third-quarter points per game and could help Philly build a lead early against Goga Bitadze.

Player prop: Keldon Johnson over 8.5 assists + rebounds (+104)
Victor Wembanyama won’t play on Friday, so Johnson is in for a large bump in production. The San Antonio Spurs forward is averaging 30.8 minutes per contest when the top pick from last year’s draft doesn’t suit up. He could be in for a big game against the Hornets. Johnson has gone over this total four times in five games without Wembanyama this season. Four teams are giving up more rebounds per game than the Hornets this season and three teams are giving up more assists per game.

21 Jan

Stallions team to beat as Breakers fall again; ex-NFL 1st-rounder shines

With only three weeks remaining in the USFL’s regular season, the playoff picture is anything but clear. We’ll attempt to sort things out below, but first, consider the roller-coaster ride we’ve seen thus far.

The New Orleans Breakers started 4-0 and were the last team to lose a game — and they’ve gone 0-3 since.
The Memphis Showboats looked like the league’s worst team after an 0-3 start — and they’ve gone 4-0 since.
The Philadelphia Stars didn’t look anything like they did while reaching last year’s championship game after a 1-3 start — and they’ve gone 3-0 since.
It all adds up to one difficult league to try and figure out, but in Week 7 there was one team that staked its claim to being the one to beat. We also saw a big day by a former NFL first-round draft pick. We’ll break down everything below, but before we dive in, a look at the scores.

Saturday
Birmingham Stallions 24, New Orleans Breakers 20
Philadelphia Stars 37, Pittsburgh Maulers 31
Sunday
Memphis Showboats 23, Houston Gamblers 20
Michigan Panthers 25, New Jersey Generals 22

Playoff picture
Only 12 total regular-season games remain, yet the four playoff spots are truly up for grabs. The one spot that may be in the firmest grasp belongs to the defending champion Birmingham Stallions. The Stallions, 5-2 after winning two straight, are the latest team to beat the formerly 4-0 Breakers — who suddenly sit in a three-way tie for second place (or last, depending on how you look at it) in the South Division. New Orleans is 4-3, as are the Showboats and Gamblers. The Breakers play the Showboats (Week 9) and Gamblers (Week 10) to finish the season, and those games should go a long way in determining who gets the South Division’s No. 2 seed, assuming Birmingham continues to play well.

In the North, the Stars sit in first place after their three-game win streak, but it’s difficult to say that seat is secure — given that they’ve allowed 28 more points than they’ve scored this season (143 scored, 171 allowed). The Stars are also the only North team that has to play Birmingham in one of their final three games. The good news for Philadelphia is that the North is by far the weaker of the two divisions. The Pittsburgh Maulers and New Jersey Generals aren’t eliminated — in fact, they’re only two games out of first — but at 2-5, they are tied with the USFL’s worst record. The Michigan Panthers, who beat the Generals on Sunday, are a game behind the Stars at 3-4.

Whoever wins the North will be a big underdog in the USFL title game against the South champ, but as we saw in the XFL championship game, anything can happen.

Stallions retake title of the team to beat
The Stallions are the defending champs but they hadn’t been alone atop the South Division all season — until this week. Birmingham led the whole way Saturday, as quarterback Alex McGough had two TDs (one rushing and one passing), including a 20-yard scoring pass to Jace Sternberger at the end of the third quarter that put the Stallions up 24-9.

New Orleans made a run in the fourth, as a 55-yard field goal by Matthew Coughlin cut it to 24-20 with six minutes left. But the Breakers’ Hail Mary attempt in the final ticks was intercepted.

Suddenly the Stallions are looking like champs again, and players are doing flips.

That’s our ball!!! 👏 pic.twitter.com/5n0O7mBJxx

— Birmingham Stallions (@USFLStallions) May 27, 2023
Stars rolling with Coleman in spotlight
Corey Coleman was as first-round NFL pick in 2016 (taken by the Browns at No. 15 overall) and lately he’s been flashing that talent in the USFL. On Saturday, Coleman took this one from Case Cookus 56 yards for the touchdown.

The #USFL after dark is lit, no pun intended. Case Cookus finds a wide open Corey Coleman for the 56 yard score, and just like that the @USFLStars take a 27-24 lead.

Cookus x Coleman has been a fun duo to watch this USFL season.pic.twitter.com/Ohf1m6xSa6

— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) May 28, 2023
Coleman had four catches for 75 yards. Cookus (18 of 30, 235 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) also had a big day, but it was Philly’s rushing attack that was most surprising. The Stars entered the day last in the league in rushing, but Matthew Colburn ran for 83 yards on 20 carries with 2 TDs. Colburn had only 169 rushing yards in the first six games combined.

Showboats suddenly sizzling behind defense
Not only did Memphis start the season 0-3, one of those losses was a 42-2 drubbing at the hands of the Stallions. But since that 0-3 start, something clicked for the Showboats, and on Sunday they won their fourth straight. Memphis has been winning with defense, getting two interceptions off the Houston Gamblers. Nose tackle John Atkins dominated, with two sacks and four tackles. In their previous three wins, the Showboats had 10 takeaways, the most in the league.

Showboats quarterback Cole Kelley and wide receiver Derrick Dillon teamed up for the game’s biggest play on offense with this 64-yard score.

64 YARD TOUCHDOWN FOR THE LEAD!!!! @DerrickDillon4 😤 pic.twitter.com/hBJ8Dd6wVo

— Memphis Showboats (@USFLShowboats) May 28, 2023
Things are going so well for Memphis that a player they signed on Thursday — defensive tackle Jordan Ferguson — was already making big plays, including a sack in the final minutes to stuff an attempted Houston comeback, despite not yet having a jersey with his name on the back.